Moon Places #6: Sinus Medii
Sinus Medii
Description:
Sinus Medii, the Central Bay, is a small basaltic plain at the center of the Moon's near side, measuring about 335 kilometers in diameter.
Formed by lava flows filling a low-lying area, the surface is smooth with few craters, indicating relatively young lava coverage. It was surveyed by early robotic missions like Surveyor 6, providing data on lunar soil properties and helping prepare for manned landings.
How I Got My Name:
"Sinus Medii" means "Central Bay" in Latin, named for its central position near the lunar prime meridian. This designation follows the early astronomical convention of naming bay-like features.
Interesting Fact:
Marks the point where the Moon's equator and prime meridian intersect, making it a key reference point for lunar coordinates; surveyed by Surveyor 6 in 1967, which tested soil mechanics and chemistry, aiding Apollo planning. It's the closest point to Earth on the Moon due to libration effects.
Location:
Centered at 2.4° N, 1.7° E, 335 km diameter.
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